Day 1
We got sort of a late start since Sunday was a sort of a hectic day. The kids had a Youth Group celebration to honor a fine young man Jared Warren from our local Church. So the kid’s got home about 11:45 rather late for having an early start. I Had plenty of engraving to get done and stayed busy with that till about 12:30.
Photo by Jeremiah Watt
Title: Leaving Cayucos
So Mom and I agreed to get out of Warthan Canyon by 6am which we did. That put it us on the coast at about 8:15. I hooked my loaded trailer to my bike, eagerly stripped of my blue jeans …….and then realized I had forgot to put my bike pants on??? Just kidding.
I was ready and wanting to get going, so I walked my bike right out to the end of the pier and left from that point on my trip to attempt to cross this America.
For you folks that have never been to the California coast, its hilly, real hilly. My daughter Nevada joined me once I got out of town and on the back roads. By the time we had road 11.6 miles we had been riding on a constant uphill for over ten miles of that distance. The real killer of this hill comes right at the end, the last 1.1 miles are at 8.8% grade. I had trouble with my bike wanting to do a wheelie on me while trying to climb that grade all because of the weight of the trailer.
We rolled into the lovely little town of Templeton, and had fried chicken and a great greek salad………….I am so used to Haggis and Neeps, it was nice to have a change. We sat for a while waiting for the folks fro California Classics, but they got delayed so we headed out.
Photo by Jeremiah Watt
Title: Tiny Town of Templeton- home of California Classics
Both my kids were riding with me, and we stopped to say hello to one of California’s Masters of paint and rawhide, that’s right we stopped to visit with Ernie and Blanche Morris. It about made him swallow his false teeth seeing Jeremiah ride a bike in and wearing spandex.
Photo by Jeremiah Watt
Title: One of California's Vaquero at work---Ernie Morris
Photo by Jeremiah Watt
Title: visiting Ernie & Blanche in their studio
After that the trip went to hell in hurry, I was taking backroads over to the valley so I could get across I-5, but let me tell you that once you get out there it is a maze of tiny roads going everyplace. I got separated from Colleen,and with all the hills there was no cell service, and so finding each other was quite an ordeal. I had turned the wrong direction at one point and rode almost 12 mile out of the way, my first thought was to shot myself and get it over with……………but then I remembered Pastor Mike’s last words of advise ……..so I stopped and Prayed instead. Besides I was low on bullets.
And so here we are, ended for the day with 63 miles in the right direction under our belt, camped at a very remote La Panza campground, not much here folks…. except us.
I will close by telling you that there are plenty of ranches out this way, and it is just great to see how much open country there is. I cannot imagine what this area had to look like when we had ranching before the automobile or those damndable velocipede’s.
In the words of Edward R Murrow, I will close with Good Night and God Bless!
Photo by Jeremiah Watt
Title: California Countryside
Comments
Haggis and Neeps??
Is that like a flipper?
F Rigali
Posted by: Fawn | August 16, 2006 11:42 PM
I was born in Lompoc, California, but haven't been there in years. This is great seeing the country out there again. Heck, Jeremiah...when all this is done, you should do something with your photography. Good stuff!
Posted by: BRUCE GIBSON | August 17, 2006 7:33 AM
You're doin great Jeremiah, keep the chin up. After every tough time God always gives us a rest or an easier load. I pray for ya every noon when I ride
Bro
Posted by: NW | August 18, 2006 8:11 PM
Philosophically Aaron says, "Looks terrific, but why?"
What a wonderful adventure. Keep us informed. We do have customers on the East Coast. They will welcome you and say, "Go West, young man, go West."
Sorry to have missed you. Aaron wanted to get a critique on his progress. We'll pray for you to have clear paths as He goes before you.
Posted by: Dorothy and Aaron | August 19, 2006 6:44 PM
Your photos remind me of my trip out west on two wheels. Only it was my Harley Davidson. You have taken on quite a challenge and adventure. It is definitely a trip of a lfetime. I pray that all is safe for you the entire trip. You asked about sun block cream. If it is available the best stuff I ever found was "OCEAN POTION" spf 50.
By the questions you asked at the end of one your days it sounds like you have a lot of time for philosophical dialog with yourself. I would love to sit down with you over a ice cold beer( if you drink the stuff) and discuss all that you mentioned. Being a pretty solid conservative type I have some pretty strong feelings for all that you mentioned.
As I reflect on our history I realize that we have been involved in conflicts. Some within our country some in world wide conflict. We have always fought for our freedom and our way(s) of life. This fight over in the middle east is somthing that has been festering for years. I believe that we let our defenses deteriate so much that we let ouselves become open for attacks. I am emensely disturbed by people who show no intestial fortitude combined with lack of common sense to not realize that our country and way of life are under attack by evil people/dictators and that we are in for a long hall battle. I also feel that when tey took God out of schools and poiceman in schools there was a problem. I pray that we have enough moral strength based people to overcome that which is trying to take away God, country, motherhood, and apple pie.
I believe we are the majority and somehow need to be more vocal and visable. Our freedom and way of life is worthy of battle. I have always enjoyed other cultures but so far I have never been forced to speak german, or japanese or deny that there is a God or that there is a savior named Jesus. I am not ready to turn in my cowboy hat for a towel.
Be all that you can be!
Tommy
s
Posted by: Tommy Haught | August 20, 2006 3:01 PM
Hi Jeremiah! Colleen was good enough to give me your journal site info.What an adventure you are having.What a gift of words you have!Dan and I will be eagerly anticipating your next journal entries and photos.I helped a friend move from coalinga to eastern pennsylvania some years ago.I drove every mile of it.We were in a 71 chevy pickup,pulling a u-haul.In the back of the truck was a rottweiler dog named Willie,and a five year old girl{Ashley}.Nobody ever messed with Willie dog but Ashley was meaner!It was a trip I'll never forget or regret taking.A few years after that,Dan and I drove all the way across the U.S. taking a southern route and driving back a northern route.What a country we live in! To see it the way you are seeing it is a whole different thing entirely.The stories you will tell your grandkids! We'll be praying for your safety and a good tailwind when you need it.Best regards.Your Mail Lady,Bonnie Porthouse
Posted by: Bonnie Porthouse | August 25, 2006 10:21 PM